Feb 2nd, 2003, 03:48 PM
Debates or Games? Ask this member of Parliament.

Busted Playing a Computer Game in Norwegian Parliament

OSLO (Reuters) - A Norwegian member of parliament apologized on Thursday for playing a war game on his pocket computer while legislators around him debated the possibility of a real war in Iraq.

Trond Helleland, a member of the ruling Conservative Party, was caught on a national television camera playing the game during Wednesday's debate about whether Norway would take part in any U.S.-led military action against Iraq.

Helleland, who leads a parliamentary committee, said he was sorry he had been tempted to try out the new game as he was checking his handheld PC diary for the day's meetings.

"I realize it was very stupid of me. I will not do it again," he told Reuters. "I had obviously turned off the sound."